What To Do When Fish Hibernate?
Call and listen to coyotes.
Pond management enthusiasts experience a big void during winter months when fish activity declines. We spend nine-months passionately caring for treasured fish and their environment. Then, one cold day, it’s like a sign appears on the dock—Closed Until March. What a great time to meet other critters around the property.
Sights and sounds of Nature. They can raise goose bumps on your arm. Like listening to coyotes at sundown. Such experiences make special outdoor memories. Humans and wildlife may use different vocabulary and sounds, but messages are similar. Be it expressions of pleasure, hunger, danger, or social outreach, it’s fascinating communication. Put on some camo gear, venture into the woods, experience the excitement of viewing and callin’ critters.
They’re not easily fooled. You’re on their playing field. But that’s the thrill of matching wits. You can never predict their response. Some may come running to you. Others may stop some distance away and not advance because instincts tell them something’s not right. A friend attempted to photograph turkey in the spring when they fan tails and display brilliant plumage. He and a big gobbler called back and forth until both their throats were sore, but the smart bird wouldn’t come within camera range. The next time one strutted within 15 steps of the blind.
Observe squirrel acrobatics.
If you try calling, select calls and decoys for your interest. Practice calling efficiency with instructional tapes to bring them in close. It’s highly entertaining and often comical when they think something’s there, but can’t see it or confront the decoy. If calling doesn’t interest you, install a feeding station in a quiet, undisturbed area. Get in a blind two hours before sunset. Blinds are relaxing places to take power naps. It’s exciting to wake up, hear something walking on dry leaves behind you, and slowly turn around to see what snuck up.
Listen carefully to all sounds. They give clues for activity. Barking squirrels may have spotted movement nearby. A deer staring intently in the same direction usually has spotted another approaching deer or critter. Take binoculars to observe behavior. Get to know your wildlife neighbors by hanging an infrared game camera to see who feeding day and night. It’s better than reading a book and sure beats watching television reruns.
